American Politics and the US Constitution
- C963 WGU exam with complete solutions
natrual rights - ANSWER- Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke - ANSWER- 17th century English philosopher who opposed the
Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life,
liberty, and property.
State of Nature - ANSWER- Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the
absence of government where human beings live in "complete" freedom and
general equality.
Due Process - ANSWER- involves the government's obligation to treat all citizens
fairly. Such a requirement lessens the extent to which government power can be
exercised over the individual, making the power differential between the two more
fair, and ensuring a general sense of political equality
Social Contract - ANSWER- A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure
their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) - ANSWER- One of the first individuals to contribute
to the idea of the social contract was a pre-Enlightenment English philosopher
Leviathan (1651): Thomas Hobbes - ANSWER- Hobbes argues that society is not
something natural and immutable, but rather it is something created by us.
Labor Movement - ANSWER- the formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for
the workers to receive better treatment by
Constitution - ANSWER- A document which spells out the principles by which a
government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society
,Bill of Rights - ANSWER- The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence - ANSWER- the document recording the
proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the
independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson - ANSWER- Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787) - ANSWER- which almost resulted in potential mob
rule, suggested there might be too much democracy at play, and that maybe
individual liberty was going too far
Articles of Confederation - ANSWER- A weak constitution that governed America
during the Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51 - ANSWER- Argues that separation of powers within the national
government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of
one person or a single group.
First Amendment - ANSWER- Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Second Amendment - ANSWER- Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment - ANSWER- The government may not house soldiers in private
homes without consent of the owner
Forth Amendment - ANSWER- It protects people against unfair searches of their
homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment - ANSWER- A constitutional amendment designed to protect the
rights of persons accused of crimes, including protection against double
jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due process of law.
Sixth Amendment - ANSWER- Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment - ANSWER- Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment - ANSWER- No cruel and unusual punishment
,Nineth Amendment - ANSWER- peoples rights are not just limited to those listed
in the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment - ANSWER- Amendment stating that the powers not delegated
to the federal gov. are reserved to the states
bicameral legislature - ANSWER- A law making body made of two houses (bi
means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House
of Representatives and The Senate.
House of Representatives - ANSWER- the lower house of Congress, consisting of
a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan - ANSWER- Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan - ANSWER- Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention - ANSWER- Meeting in 1787 of the elected
representatives of the thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the
United States.
unicameral legislature - ANSWER- One-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise - ANSWER- Agreement that each slave counted as
three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for
representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment)
Checks and Balances - ANSWER- A system that allows each branch of
government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of
power
Separation of Powers - ANSWER- Constitutional division of powers among the
legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making
law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting
the law
federal system - ANSWER- A government that divides the powers of government
between the national government and state or provincial governments
, enumerated powers - ANSWER- The powers explicitly given to Congress in the
Constitution.
reserved powers - ANSWER- Powers given to the state government alone
Federalists - ANSWER- Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander
Hamilton and John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should
be strong. They didn't want the Bill of Rights because they felt citizens' rights
were already well protected by the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists - ANSWER- Opponents of the American Constitution at the time
when the states were contemplating its adoption.
Ratification - ANSWER- Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a
constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty
Republic - ANSWER- A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders
by voting
Habeas Corpus - ANSWER- Constitutional protection against unlawful
imprisonment
Federalist Papers - ANSWER- A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander
Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the
Constitution in detail.
Federalist No. 10 - ANSWER- An essay composed by James Madison which
argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions)
exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling
coalitions will always be unstable.
Legislative Branch (Congress) - ANSWER- makes laws, imposes taxes, and
declares war
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) - ANSWER- interprets the constitution and other
laws, reviews lower-court decisions
Executive Branch (President) - ANSWER- has the power to enforce the law
Executive Orders - ANSWER- Formal orders issued by the president to direct
action by the federal bureaucracy.
- C963 WGU exam with complete solutions
natrual rights - ANSWER- Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke - ANSWER- 17th century English philosopher who opposed the
Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life,
liberty, and property.
State of Nature - ANSWER- Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the
absence of government where human beings live in "complete" freedom and
general equality.
Due Process - ANSWER- involves the government's obligation to treat all citizens
fairly. Such a requirement lessens the extent to which government power can be
exercised over the individual, making the power differential between the two more
fair, and ensuring a general sense of political equality
Social Contract - ANSWER- A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure
their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) - ANSWER- One of the first individuals to contribute
to the idea of the social contract was a pre-Enlightenment English philosopher
Leviathan (1651): Thomas Hobbes - ANSWER- Hobbes argues that society is not
something natural and immutable, but rather it is something created by us.
Labor Movement - ANSWER- the formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for
the workers to receive better treatment by
Constitution - ANSWER- A document which spells out the principles by which a
government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society
,Bill of Rights - ANSWER- The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence - ANSWER- the document recording the
proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the
independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson - ANSWER- Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787) - ANSWER- which almost resulted in potential mob
rule, suggested there might be too much democracy at play, and that maybe
individual liberty was going too far
Articles of Confederation - ANSWER- A weak constitution that governed America
during the Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51 - ANSWER- Argues that separation of powers within the national
government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of
one person or a single group.
First Amendment - ANSWER- Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Second Amendment - ANSWER- Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment - ANSWER- The government may not house soldiers in private
homes without consent of the owner
Forth Amendment - ANSWER- It protects people against unfair searches of their
homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment - ANSWER- A constitutional amendment designed to protect the
rights of persons accused of crimes, including protection against double
jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due process of law.
Sixth Amendment - ANSWER- Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment - ANSWER- Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment - ANSWER- No cruel and unusual punishment
,Nineth Amendment - ANSWER- peoples rights are not just limited to those listed
in the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment - ANSWER- Amendment stating that the powers not delegated
to the federal gov. are reserved to the states
bicameral legislature - ANSWER- A law making body made of two houses (bi
means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House
of Representatives and The Senate.
House of Representatives - ANSWER- the lower house of Congress, consisting of
a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan - ANSWER- Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan - ANSWER- Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention - ANSWER- Meeting in 1787 of the elected
representatives of the thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the
United States.
unicameral legislature - ANSWER- One-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise - ANSWER- Agreement that each slave counted as
three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for
representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment)
Checks and Balances - ANSWER- A system that allows each branch of
government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of
power
Separation of Powers - ANSWER- Constitutional division of powers among the
legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making
law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting
the law
federal system - ANSWER- A government that divides the powers of government
between the national government and state or provincial governments
, enumerated powers - ANSWER- The powers explicitly given to Congress in the
Constitution.
reserved powers - ANSWER- Powers given to the state government alone
Federalists - ANSWER- Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander
Hamilton and John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should
be strong. They didn't want the Bill of Rights because they felt citizens' rights
were already well protected by the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists - ANSWER- Opponents of the American Constitution at the time
when the states were contemplating its adoption.
Ratification - ANSWER- Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a
constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty
Republic - ANSWER- A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders
by voting
Habeas Corpus - ANSWER- Constitutional protection against unlawful
imprisonment
Federalist Papers - ANSWER- A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander
Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the
Constitution in detail.
Federalist No. 10 - ANSWER- An essay composed by James Madison which
argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions)
exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling
coalitions will always be unstable.
Legislative Branch (Congress) - ANSWER- makes laws, imposes taxes, and
declares war
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) - ANSWER- interprets the constitution and other
laws, reviews lower-court decisions
Executive Branch (President) - ANSWER- has the power to enforce the law
Executive Orders - ANSWER- Formal orders issued by the president to direct
action by the federal bureaucracy.
